University Bands

The marching band at MTSU, the Band of Blue, is directed by Associate Director of
Bands, Craig Cornish, and presents original half-time shows at all home football games and selected out-of-town
games. Membership is open to any university student who can display good marching
techniques and a fundamental proficiency on an instrument used in the marching band.
Guard, majorettes, and dance team members are accepted by audition.

Wind Ensemble

Conducted by Dr. Reed Thomas, The Middle Tennessee State University Wind Ensemble is the premier performing ensemble
for wind, brass, and percussion students at the university. Members are selected through
audition each semester and comprise the best musicians at MTSU. The ensemble explores
the vast range of the wind repertoire by utilizing a flexible instrumentation approach
where the repertoire dictates the number of players for each piece. The ensemble is
dedicated to performing outstanding and challenging works of diverse musical styles
while furthering wind music of artistic and historical significance. Performing three
to five concerts each semester, they also tour extensively throughout the region.
The Wind Ensemble is quickly becoming recognized as one of the outstanding university
ensembles in the country and abroad. They have been invited to perform in Thailand,
Korea, Japan, and several European countries. Membership is open to all MTSU students
and is based upon successful audition.

Conducted by Mr. Craig Cornish, The Middle Tennessee State University Symphonic Band has the distinction of being
the band program's top symphonic ensemble. Its select mission is to provide instrumentalists
with an opportunity to demonstrate and develop the techniques and musical instincts
appropriate to a symphonic setting. With an emphasis on the distinctive characteristics
of the large wind and percussion ensemble, the symphonic band's repertoire is culled
from the rich resources of the wind band tradition. The MTSU Symphonic Band fosters
the highest performance standards while offering its members an opportunity to expand
their technical, intellectual, and musical horizons. The ensemble seeks to broaden
performance and pedagogical skills through the programming of exemplary wind band
literature while fostering an interest in the band as an integral part of the American
musical scene. Membership is open to all MTSU students and placement is based on auditions
held each semester.

The Middle Tennessee State University Chamber Winds, conducted by Dr. Reed Thomas, Director of Bands, is a highly select group of musicians within the MTSU School
of Music dedicated to the study and performance of wind literature from the Renaissance
to the latest compositions. The ensemble was founded in 2003 as an outgrowth of The
MTSU Wind Ensemble. Seating is rotated from piece-to-piece, and instrumentation varies,
giving each composition a realization best representing each composer's intent. Membership
is open to all MTSU students and is based upon successful audition.

The Basketball games at MTSU would not be the same without the pep band. The band
plays at every home game for both the men's and women's teams. Staying in step with
the times, the pep band has expanded its literature in the last couple of years. Some
new favorites are played, such as, Parliament tunes "Flashlight" and "Give up the
Funk." More recent crowd pleasers include popular tunes "Livin' La Vida Loca" and
"Mambo #5."